Filter Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A filter apparatus includes a first housing having a wall defining a first cavity, a first end and a second end; a removable lid configured to be coupled to the first end of the first housing; a cap removably coupled to the removable lid such that a second cavity is defined between a portion of the cap and a portion of the removable lid; and a second housing having a wall defining a third cavity, a first end and a second end, where the second housing is disposed inside the first cavity, and where the first end is configured to be removably coupled to the removable lid independently from the first housing.

BACKGROUND

Odor and health concerns associated with tobacco smoke, vapor from “vape” devices, and the like, is often an issue within households. Moving outdoors to keep odors from lingering can be seen as burdensome. Those participating in the use of tobacco products and the like are often deterred from taking precautionary steps to keep household items fresh. Frequently deodorizers and air flow devices, such as a fan, are typically used to reduce the odor, but are often unsatisfactory and do not remove potentially harmful particulates from the air.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein can facilitate the efficient filtration of smoke. Embodiments include a filtration apparatus having filters disposed within several cavities of the device. In embodiments, the removable lid of the filter apparatus can be independently coupled to each piece of the apparatus by threading. In this manner, for example, airtight seals disposed within each coupled threading force smoke to move through the filter system and exit the second end of the filter apparatus.

In Example 1, a filter apparatus comprises: a first housing having a wall defining a first cavity, a first end and a second end; a removable lid configured to be coupled to the first end of the first housing; a cap removably coupled to the removable lid such that a second cavity is defined between a portion of the cap and a portion of the removable lid; and a second housing having a wall defining a third cavity, a first end and a second end, wherein the second housing is disposed inside the first cavity, and wherein the first end is configured to be removably coupled to the removable lid independently from the first housing.

In Example 2, the filter apparatus of Example 1, wherein the removable lid, having an outer end surface and an inner end surface, further comprises: an outer annular wall extending away from the periphery of the inner end surface, wherein the outer annular wall is configured to engage the first end of the first housing; and an inner annular wall extending away from the inner end surface, wherein the inner annular wall is configured to engage a first end of the wall of the second housing.

In Example 3, the filter apparatus of either of Examples 1 or 2, the removable lid further comprises: an upper annular wall extending away from the outer end surface of the removable lid; and a perforated portion of the outer end surface of the removable lid, defined within the upper annular wall, and corresponding to a perforated portion of the inner end surface, defined within the inner annular wall.

In Example 4, the filter apparatus of Example 2, wherein the cap, having an outer end surface and an inner end surface, further comprises: an annular wall extending way from the inner end surface of the cap, wherein the annular wall of the cap is configured to engage the upper annular wall of the removable lid; and a hollow protrusion, extending away from the outer surface of the cap, wherein an aperture in the hollow protrusion extends to the second cavity.

In Example 5, the filter apparatus of any of Examples 1-4, wherein the first housing further comprises: an opening in the first end; and a bottom plate disposed at the second end, the bottom plate having at least one aperture.

In Example 6, the filter apparatus of any of Examples 1-5, wherein the second housing further comprises: an opening in the first end; a bottom plate disposed at the second end; and at least one aperture in the wall defining the third cavity.

In Example 7, the filter apparatus of any of Examples 1-6, wherein a filter is disposed within at least one of the first cavity, the second cavity, and the third cavity.

In Example 8, the filter apparatus of Example 7, having a first filter disposed within the second cavity and a second filter disposed within the third cavity.

In Example 9, the filter apparatus of Example 8, wherein the first filter is of the same filter type as the second filter.

In Example 10, the filter apparatus of any of Examples 1-9, having processing media disposed within the first cavity.

In Example 11, the filter apparatus of Example 10, the processing media comprising at least one of a filter, an odorizer, and a deodorizer.

In Example 12, a filter system comprises: a first housing coupled to a removable lid; a first filter disposed within a first cavity defined between a portion of a cap and a portion of the removable lid; a second filter disposed within a second cavity defined within a second housing disposed within the first housing and removably coupled to the removable lid independently of the first housing.

In Example 13, the filter system of Example 12, further comprises processing media disposed within a third cavity, wherein the third cavity is defined between a portion of the first housing and a portion of the removable lid.

In Example 14, the filter system of either of Examples 12 or 13, the first housing having a wall defining the third cavity, a first end and a second end, wherein the removable lid is configured to be coupled to the first end of the first housing.

In Example 15, the filter system of Example 14, the removable lid further comprises: an outer end surface; an inner end surface; an outer annular wall extending away from the periphery of the inner end surface, wherein the outer annular wall is configured to engage the first end of the first housing; and an inner annular wall extending away from the inner end surface, wherein the inner annular wall is configured to engage a first end of the wall of the second housing.

In Example 16, the filter system of any of Examples 12-15, the removable lid further comprising: an upper annular wall extending away from the outer end surface of the removable lid; and a perforated portion of the outer end surface of the removable lid, defined within the upper annular wall, and corresponding to a perforated portion of the inner end surface, defined within the inner annular wall.

In Example 17, the filter system of Example 16, the cap comprises: an outer end surface; an inner end surface; an annular wall extending away from the inner end surface of the cap, wherein the annular wall of the cap is configured to engage the upper annular wall of the removable lid; and a hollow protrusion, extending away from the outer surface of the cap, wherein an aperture in the hollow protrusion extends to the first cavity.

In Example 18, the filter system of any of Examples 12-17, the first housing further comprising: an opening in the first end: and a bottom plate disposed at the second end, the bottom plate having at least one aperture defined therethrough.

In Example 19, the filter system of any of Examples 12-18, the second housing further comprising: an opening in the first end; a bottom plate disposed at the second end; and at least one aperture extending through the wall defining the second cavity.

In Example 20, the filter system of any of Examples 12-19, wherein the first filter is of the same filter type as the second filter.

In Example 21, the filter system of any of Examples 13-20, the processing media comprising a third filter.

In Example 22, the filter system of any of Examples 13-21, the processing media comprising at least one of a filter, an odorizer, and a deodorizer.

In Example 23, a method of filtering smoke and/or vapor using the filter apparatus of any of Examples 1-11.

In Example 24, a method of filtering smoke and/or vapor using the filter system of any of Examples 12-22.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a smoke filter apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the smoke filter apparatus depicted in FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a perspective top view of a removable lid, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 3B is perspective bottom view of the removable lid depicted in FIG. 3A, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 3C is a top view of the removable lid depicted in FIG. 3A, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a perspective top view of a cap, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a perspective bottom view of the cap depicted in FIG. 4A, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 4C is a top view of the cap depicted in FIG. 4A, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a perspective top view of a second housing, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a perspective bottom view of the second housing depicted in FIG. 5A, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

While the subject matter disclosed herein is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The disclosed subject matter, however, is not limited to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the ambit of the subject matter disclosed herein, as defined by the appended claims.

As used herein, the terms “lower,” “upper,” “upward,” “downward,” and/or other similar directional terms are used to refer to the specific features to which they refer, but are characterized in the context of the illustrations for clarity and to describe relative orientations of features with respect to other features, and are not intended to imply any particular orientation of the apparatus 100, or absolute (or preferred) orientations of features thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of a smoke filter apparatus include a first housing, having a second housing therein. Each housing is configured to be independently coupled to a lid. A cap is disposed atop the lid and includes a hollow protrusion for interaction with a user. Each connected piece of the apparatus defines a cavity within which a filter may be disposed. Once the user engages the hollow protrusion and exhales smoke therethrough, the smoke travels through each cavity of the apparatus and is filtered. Additionally, although the smoke filter apparatus is described herein as being configured for filtering smoke, embodiments of the smoke filter apparatus may be used for filtering vapor and/or any other component of an exhalation.

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a smoke filter apparatus 100, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the smoke filter apparatus 100 includes a first housing 102 coupled, at a first end 104, to a removable lid 106. A cap 108 is disposed adjacent an outer end surface 110 of the lid 106 and a hollow protrusion 112 extends upward away from an outer end surface 114 of the cap 108. The first housing 102, the lid 106, the cap 108, and the hollow protrusion 112 each include an annular wall 116, 118 (“outer annular wall”), 120, and 122, respectively. Although each wall 116, 118, 120, and 122 is illustrated as being circular, in embodiments, one or more of the walls 116, 118, 120, and 122 may have a different shape or shapes. For example, a portion of one or more of the walls 116, 118, 120, and 122, may be spherical, cuboid, hexagonal prism, and/or the like.

FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the smoke filter apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the smoke filter apparatus 100 includes a second housing 124 disposed within a cavity 126 defined within the first housing 102. The cavity 126 is defined, in part, by an inner surface 128 of the annular 116 wall, which also includes an opposite outer surface 130, an inner end surface 132 (See FIG. 3B) of the lid 106, and an upper surface 134 of a bottom plate 136 that is coupled to a second end 138 of the first housing 102.

The first housing 102 and the second housing 124 are independently coupled to the lid 106. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the outer annular wall 118 of the lid 106 extends away from, and, in embodiments, at least approximately perpendicular to, the periphery of the inner end surface 132, and includes a threaded inner surface 140 configured to engage a threaded portion 142 of the outer surface 130 of the annular wall 116 of the first end 104 of the first housing 102. A first gasket (not shown) may be disposed between an edge 178 of the first end 104 of the first housing 102 and the inner end surface 132 of the lid 106 to create a seal between the first housing 102 and the lid 106. Additionally, lid 106 has an upper annular wall 144, threaded on the outer surface 146, and extending away from, and, in embodiments, at least approximately perpendicular to, the outer end surface; and an inner annular wall 148, threaded on the inner surface 150, and extending away from, and, in embodiments, at least approximately perpendicular to, the inner end surface 132. A first end 152 of the second housing 124 includes a threaded portion 154 that is configured to engage the threaded inner surface 150 of the inner annular wall 148. A second gasket (not shown) may be disposed between an edge 182 of the first end 152 of the second housing 124 and an edge 184 of the perforated portion 164 to create a seal between the lid 106 and the second housing 124. In other embodiments, the first housing 102 and the second housing 124 may be independently configured to be removably coupled to the lid 106 via an external threading, an internal threading, an interference fit, an interlocking or lever-lock mechanism, a snap fit and/or the like. According to some embodiments, first housing 102 and second housing 124 may be cylindrical as depicted herein. In other embodiments, both first housing 102 and second housing 124 may be any shape, e.g., spherical, cuboid, hexagonal prism, or other shape.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the annular wall 120 of the cap 108 includes a threaded inner surface 156 configured to engage the threaded outer surface 146 of the upper annular wall 144 of the lid 106. A third gasket (not shown) may be disposed between an edge 186 of the upper annular wall 144 of the lid 106 and an edge 188 of an inner end surface 158 of the cap 108 to create a seal between the lid 106 and the cap 108. In other embodiments, the cap 108 may be configured to be removably coupled to the upper annular wall 144 of the lid 106 via an external threading, an internal threading, an interference fit, an interlocking or lever-lock mechanism, a snap fit and/or the like.

In embodiments, the hollow protrusion 112 may be cylindrical as depicted herein. In other embodiments, the hollow protrusion 112 may be any shape, i.e., spherical, cuboid, hexagonal prism, or other shape. In embodiments, for example, the hollow protrusion 112 may include a mouthpiece disposed at the end thereof for interaction with the user's mouth. The mouthpiece may be configured to fit within a user's mouth (e.g., in a manner similar to a mouthpiece associated with scuba equipment), around the user's mouth (e.g., in a manner similar to a mouthpiece associated with a large brass instrument), around at least a part of the user's face and/or head (e.g., in a manner similar to a dust mask or gas mask), and/or the like. The surface of the hollow protrusion 112 may be rubber, silicone, or any soft plastic material, as to comfortably engage the mouth of the user.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the cap 108 is coupled to the lid 106, a cavity 160 is defined therebetween, and an aperture 162, defined by the hollow protrusion 112, opens into the cavity 160. The inner end surface 132 of the lid 106 includes a perforated portion 164 defined within the inner annular wall 148, and the outer end surface 110 of the lid 106 includes a corresponding perforated portion 166 defined within the upper annular wall 144 so that gases (e.g., smoke, vapor, etc.) may pass through the lid 106 into the second housing 124.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the second housing 124 includes a annular wall 168 defining a cavity 170, an opening 172 defined at a first end 152 of the housing 124, and a bottom plate 174 coupled to a second end 176 of the second housing 124. The annular wall 168 may, according to embodiments, be perforated, constructed as a mesh, and/or otherwise configured such that gases (e.g., smoke, vapor, etc.) may pass through the second housing 124 into the cavity 126.

A first filter medium (not shown) may be disposed in the cavity 160 and a second filter medium (not shown) may be disposed in the cavity 170 within the second housing 124. In embodiments, the first and second filter mediums may be the same type of filter media, and, in other embodiments, the first and second filter mediums may be different types of filter media. For example, the first filter medium may be a HEPA filter medium, and the second filter medium may be an activated carbon filter medium. In this manner, for example, the filter media may be replaced by a user. That is, for example, a user may replace the first filter medium by removing the cap 108 from the lid 106, removing the first filter medium (which may, e.g., be a disc-shaped HEPA filter configured to fit within the cavity 160) and replacing it with a new filter medium. The second filter medium may be replaced by unscrewing the lid 106 from the first housing 102, unscrewing the second housing 124 from the lid 106, removing the second filter medium from within the second housing 124, and replacing the second filter medium with a new second filter medium (e.g., by pouring fresh activated carbon into the second housing). In some embodiments, the second housing may have at least a second cavity defined therein (not shown), separated by a removable perforated wall (not shown). The second housing, having two cavities, therefore, may have an additional replaceable filter medium (not shown). This additional filter medium may be the same type of filter media, as either the first and/or second filter media, and in other embodiments, the additional filter medium may be a different type of filter media, than either the first or second filter media.

The cavity 126 may be configured to house processing media (not shown) in addition to the second housing 124. In embodiments, the processing media may be filter media. The processing media may be one or more of a filter, an odorizer, and a deodorizer. For example, in embodiments, the processing media may include one or more dryer sheets, a pouch of pot-pouri, and/or the like. In embodiments, the processing media may be configured so that it does not fall through apertures 180 defined in the bottom plate 136 of the first housing 102. In embodiments the processing media may be loosely disbursed around the second housing 124 within cavity 126 inside the first housing 102. In other embodiments, the processing media may be confined within a breathable pouch within cavity 126 inside the first housing 102. Still in other embodiments, the housing 102 may have a second cavity (not shown) defined therein to confine the processing media, e.g., beneath the second housing 124 and/or to provide an additional cavity for an additional processing media. In embodiments with a first and second cavity defined within housing 102, the first processing media and second processing media disposed therein may be the same. In other embodiments, at least one of the processing media within the housing 102 may be the same as either the first and/or second filter media, disposed within cavity 160 and/or cavity 170.

According to embodiments, a person may use embodiments of the smoke filter apparatus disclosed herein, to filter smoke, vapor, and/or the like. In operation, for example, the hollow protrusion 112 is inserted into the mouth of the user; and the user exhales smoke or vapor into the hollow protrusion 112. The smoke or vapor travels through a first filter medium disposed within cavity 160, through a second filter medium disposed within the cavity 170 in the second housing 124, and through a processing media disposed within the cavity 126. The gaskets therebetween, forming seals between cap 108 and lid 106, between lid 106 and second housing 124, and between lid 106 and first housing 102 ensure the exhaled smoke from the user, into the hollow protrusion 112, travels through the entire smoke filter apparatus 100. In this manner, the amount of smoke or vapor exiting the apparatus through the apertures 180 may be reduced and/or deodorized.

According to embodiments, computer readable files having three-dimensional printing plans for the first housing 102 (or aspects thereof) and/or the cap 108 (or aspects thereof such as, for example, the protrusion 112) may be provided to the user. These files may be downloadable and customizable based on the particular wants and/or needs of the user. Customization may include, but is not limited to size and/or shape of the first housing 102 (or aspects thereof) and/or of the cap 108 (or aspects thereof) as previously described, in addition to a picture, pattern, design, color, and/or the like. Once the user has selected and finalized the customized first housing 102 (or aspects thereof) and/or cap 108 (or aspects thereof), it may be 3D printed for use with the filter apparatus. In this way, users may personalize the appearance of the first housing 102 (or aspects thereof) and/or the cap 108 (or aspects thereof) of the filter apparatus to achieve a unique and/or distinct personal device.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the disclosed subject matter. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. 

The following is claimed:
 1. A filter apparatus, comprising: a first housing having a wall defining a first cavity, a first end and a second end; a removable lid configured to be coupled to the first end of the first housing; a cap removably coupled to the removable lid such that a second cavity is defined between a portion of the cap and a portion of the removable lid; and a second housing having a wall defining a third cavity, a first end and a second end, wherein the second housing is disposed inside the first cavity, and wherein the first end is configured to be removably coupled to the removable lid independently from the first housing.
 2. The filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable lid, having an outer end surface and an inner end surface, further comprises: an outer annular wall extending away from the periphery of the inner end surface, wherein the outer annular wall is configured to engage the first end of the first housing; and an inner annular wall extending away from the inner end surface, wherein the inner annular wall is configured to engage a first end of the wall of the second housing.
 3. The filter apparatus of claim 1, the removable lid further comprising: an upper annular wall extending away from the outer end surface of the removable lid; and a perforated portion of the outer end surface of the removable lid, defined within the upper annular wall, and corresponding to a perforated portion of the inner end surface, defined within the inner annular wall.
 4. The filter apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cap, having an outer end surface and an inner end surface, further comprises: an annular wall extending way from the inner end surface of the cap, wherein the annular wall of the cap is configured to engage the upper annular wall of the removable lid; and a hollow protrusion, extending away from the outer surface of the cap, wherein an aperture in the hollow protrusion extends to the second cavity.
 5. The filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first housing further comprises: an opening in the first end; and a bottom plate disposed at the second end, the bottom plate having at least one aperture.
 6. The filter apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second housing further comprises: an opening in the first end; a bottom plate disposed at the second end; and at least one aperture in the wall defining the third cavity.
 7. The filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein a filter is disposed within at least one of the first cavity, the second cavity, and the third cavity.
 8. The filter apparatus of claim 7, having a first filter disposed within the second cavity and a second filter disposed within the third cavity.
 9. The filter apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first filter is of the same filter type as the second filter.
 10. The filter apparatus of claim 1, having processing media disposed within the first cavity.
 11. The filter apparatus of claim 10, the processing media comprising at least one of a filter, an odorizer, and a deodorizer.
 12. A filter system comprising: a first housing coupled to a removable lid; a first filter disposed within a first cavity defined between a portion of a cap and a portion of the removable lid; a second filter disposed within a second cavity defined within a second housing disposed within the first housing and removably coupled to the removable lid independently of the first housing.
 13. The filter system of claim 12, further comprising processing media disposed within a third cavity, wherein the third cavity is defined between a portion of the first housing and a portion of the removable lid.
 14. The filter system of claim 12, the first housing having a wall defining the third cavity, a first end and a second end, wherein the removable lid is configured to be coupled to the first end of the first housing.
 15. The filter system of claim 14, the removable lid further comprising: an outer end surface; an inner end surface; an outer annular wall extending away from the periphery of the inner end surface, wherein the outer annular wall is configured to engage the first end of the first housing; and an inner annular wall extending away from the inner end surface, wherein the inner annular wall is configured to engage a first end of the wall of the second housing.
 16. The filter system of claim 12, the removable lid further comprising: an upper annular wall extending away from the outer end surface of the removable lid; and a perforated portion of the outer end surface of the removable lid, defined within the upper annular wall, and corresponding to a perforated portion of the inner end surface, defined within the inner annular wall.
 17. The filter system of claim 16, the cap comprising: an outer end surface; an inner end surface; an annular wall extending away from the inner end surface of the cap, wherein the annular wall of the cap is configured to engage the upper annular wall of the removable lid; and a hollow protrusion, extending away from the outer surface of the cap, wherein an aperture in the hollow protrusion extends to the first cavity.
 18. The filter system of claim 12, the first housing further comprising: an opening in the first end; and a bottom plate disposed at the second end, the bottom plate having at least one aperture defined therethrough.
 19. The filter system of claim 12, the second housing further comprising: an opening in the first end; a bottom plate disposed at the second end; and at least one aperture extending through the wall defining the second cavity.
 20. The filter system of claim 13, the processing media comprising at least one of a filter, an odorizer, and a deodorizer. 